| ECI team likely to visit J&K soon, kick start preparations for Assembly polls | | | 
Early Times Report
Jammu, June 8: A team of the Election Commission of India is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir very soon to start preparations for the Assembly elections formally.
Sources said that the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held after this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra, but preparations will be started much before to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.
“A team of the Election Commission of India is likely to visit J&K very soon”, a source said, adding, “Preparations for the Assembly elections and Amarnath Yatra will go simultaneously and schedule of the polls likely to be announced just after the conclusion of the Yatra”.
Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024 will begin on 29th June 2024 and conclude on 19th August 2024.
The ECI has begun preparations for the first-ever Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
This development follows recent remarks by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who emphasized the readiness of J&K residents to determine their future through democratic means.
The ECI has started accepting applications for the use of common symbols by candidates.
"The commission has decided to accept applications seeking allotment of the common symbol under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968 for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect," stated Jaydeb Lahiri, Secretary of the Election Commission of India, in a press note. On June 3, CEC Ra The Assembly elections in J&K will be held after this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra.
Poll schedule is likely to be announced after the conclusion of the Yatra.
The ECI has started accepting applications for the use of common symbols by candidates.
On June 3, CEC Rajiv Kumar expressed confidence in the eagerness of J&K residents to shape their future democratically.
“The enthusiasm witnessed during the elections reflects the populace's aspiration to actively engage in the democratic process and chart their course forward,” Kumar said.
The most recent Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir took place in 2014. Following Mehbooba Mufti's resignation as Chief Minister in June 2018, the region experienced Governor's rule, later transitioning to President's rule.
On August 5, 2019, the central government revoked Article 370 and Article 35A, reorganizing the state into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Since then, governance has been under the purview of Lieutenant Governors.
In 2020, a Delimitation Commission was established to redefine the boundaries of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. As a result, the number of Assembly seats in the union territory increased from 83 to 90, excluding those designated for Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir.
These upcoming elections will be the first in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Last year, the Supreme Court upheld the central government's decision to revoke Article 370, directing the ECI to conduct Assembly elections by September 30, 2024, and emphasized the swift restoration of statehood. |
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